“You may possibly wonder why all this was not told you last night; but I was not then master enough of myself to know what could or ought to be revealed.For the truth of everything here related,I can appeal more particularly to the testimony of Colonel Fitzwilliam,who,from our near relationship and constant intimacy, and, still more, as one of the executors of my father's will, has been unavoidably acquainted with every particular of these transactions. If your abhorrence of me should make my assertions valueless,you cannot be prevented by the same cause from confiding in my cousin;and that there may be the possibility of consulting him,I shall endeavour to find some opportunity of putting this letter in your hands in the course of the morning.I will only add,God bless you.
“I must now mention a circumstance which I would wish to forget myself, and which no obligation less than the present should induce me to unfold to any human being.Having said thus much,I feel no doubt of your secrecy.My sister,who is more than ten years my junior,was left to the guardianship of my mother's nephew, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and myself.About a year ago, she was taken from school, and an establishment formed for her in London; and last summer she went with the lady